Chandigarh: In a landmark medical achievement, a team of neurosurgeons at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, successfully performed a rare and highly complex brain surgery on a two-year-old girl, removing a massive tumor using a minimally invasive technique.
The young patient was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma, a rare, typically adult brain tumor that had grown to an unusually large size, compressing critical brain structures. According to Dr. (Prof) S.S. Dhandapani, Additional Professor of Neurosurgery at PGIMER, the case is extraordinary in both its scale and outcome.
#WATCH | Chandigarh | Team of Neurosurgeons at PGIMER Chandigarh successfully performed a groundbreaking brain surgery on a two-year-old girl
Additional Professor of Neurosurgery, Dr. (Prof) Dhandapani SS says, “That child had a craniopharyngioma and her tumor was a ‘giant’… pic.twitter.com/9Yg5Lk9yr7
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2025
“This child had a craniopharyngioma that would normally be seen in adults, and the tumor was classified as ‘giant’ due to its size,” he explained. “To our knowledge, this is only the second known case globally where a tumor of this magnitude in such a young child was removed through an endoscopic endonasal approach, that is, through the nasal passage.”
The child had been showing symptoms for four to five months, including progressive vision problems and impaired motor coordination. An MRI scan revealed a large mass severely compressing the optic nerves, leading to complete vision loss. It also affected the pituitary gland, causing hormonal imbalances.
“The tumor was not only affecting her eyesight but had also compromised her hormonal function. It was a life-threatening condition,” said Dr. Dhandapani.
Despite the significant challenges posed by the tumor’s size and location, the surgical team opted for a less invasive nasal route rather than the conventional open-brain approach, minimizing trauma and reducing the risk of complications.
Now, ten days post-operation, the child is in stable condition and continues to be monitored closely in recovery. While the immediate danger has passed, doctors remain cautious.
“Given the nature of craniopharyngiomas, there remains a possibility of recurrence,” noted Dr. Dhandapani. “The road to full recovery will take time, but we are hopeful.”
This successful procedure is being hailed as a major advancement in pediatric neurosurgery and highlights the cutting-edge capabilities of PGIMER’s medical team. The case also underscores the potential of endoscopic techniques in treating complex brain tumors in very young patients, a field still in its early stages worldwide.
Medical professionals and families alike are celebrating the surgery as a testament to both medical innovation and the resilience of the human spirit, especially in someone so young.
